Paul Odera has named his last squad ahead of World Rugby under 20 Trophy championships set Brazil set for next month.
Chipu, the national under 20 rugby team coaches guided the squad to win the Africa U20 Trophy in April at the KCB Sports Club after beating the defending Champions Namibia 21-18.
This is the second time Kenya will be
featuring in this specific tournament, the first one being in 2009 when we
hosted it at the RFUEA Grounds.
The team has since been in session faithfully with a number
of the players featuring for their clubs in the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup
encounters.
Odera has made three changes to the winning side that beat
Namibia, Andrew Siminyu, Timothy Okwemba and John Okoth all who missed out on
the 2019 Barthes Cup are part of the traveling party. They replace injured
Beldad Ogeta and George Maranga who misses the tournament due to academic
commitments.
Chipu will be up against fellow upcoming giants, Uruguay,
Japan and hosts Brazil during their stay in Sao Paolo. The eventual winner of
the tournament will have earned themselves a promotion to the 2020 World Rugby
U20 Championship.
“Uruguay have been in this tournament for about seven
consecutive years, Japan on paper seem to be the strongest team having been
relegated from the U20 Championships. We have had video analysis sessions of
this level or rugby, which the current team has not been exposed to before. The
pace played by the teams in our pool is going to test us but we’re confident in
our defense which is what got us through Namibia,” said Head Coach Paul Odera.
The first match day is Tuesday 9th July when
Chipu faces Uruguay at 11:00pm EAT, on Sunday 14th July Chipu
will meet the hosts, Brazil at 1:00am EAT before wrapping up their pool matches
on Wednesday 17th July at
11:00pm EAT against Japan. All the matches will be played at the Martins
Pereira Stadium.
Odera’s charges to Brazil: Ian Njenga(Nondescripts
RFC), Bonface Ochieng(Kenya Harlequins)- Captain, Rotuk Rahedi(Millfield
School), Emanuel Silungi(Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Hibrahim Ayoo(Menengai
Oilers), James Mcgreevy(Kenya Harlequins), Brian Amaitsa(Nondies), Sheldon
Kahi(Blakblad RC) Samuel Asati(KCB RC)-VC, Dominic Coulson(Unattached)-VC,
Timothy Okwemba(MMUST), Owain Ashley(Merchiston Castle School), John Okoth(Top
Fry Nakuru), Geoffrey Okwach(KCB RC), Jeff Mutuku(Kenya Harlequins), Wilfred Waswa(Northern
Suburbs), Collins Obure(Blakblad RFC), Ian Masheti(Resolution Impala Saracens),
Frank Aduda(Resolution Impala Saracens), George Kyriazi(Merchiston Castle
School), Samuel Were(LaiserHill Academy), Barry Robinson(Kabras Sugar RFC),
Douglas Kahuri(Kenya Harlequins), Michele Brighetti(Sedbergh School), Andrew
Matoka(Strathmore Leos), Andrew Siminyu(Hillcrest School SA).
Technical Team: Paul Odera(Head Coach),
Jimmy Mnene(Team Manager), Michael Owino(Strength and Conditioning Coach),
Michael Aung(Forwards Coach), Kenny Andola(Backs Coach), Stephen Mankone(Team
Physiotherapist), James Ondiege(Team Doctor), Edwin Boit(Team Analyst) Mweti Muriithi(Logistics
and Operations Assistant).
Source: kru.co.ke